Luxshare Precision, a key Chinese partner of Apple, is expanding its production capacity in Vietnam through a significant enlargement of its Nghe An facility. The workforce is expected to grow from 12,000 to 60,000–80,000, reinforcing its position in Apple's global supply chain.
The potential of AI in advancing smart manufacturing has been widely recognized, but deaths and injuries involving robots at factories have called attention to functional safety, of which semiconductor chips play a crucial part, according to industry sources.
Super Micro Computer said an independent review of its business found no evidence of misconduct but recommended that the server maker appoint new top financial and legal leadership.
Donald Trump's upcoming return to the US presidency and his promised import tariffs threaten to disrupt the World Trade Organization's free trade principles. The WTO's 166 member states account for a combined 98% of global trade, and industry watchers are closely monitoring how these protectionist policies might reshape global commerce.
Orders for brand AI servers are surging, prompting Taiwan-based electronic contract manufacturing firms to capitalize on the trend regardless of order variations.
Demand for AI servers will not peak in 2025, according to Quanta Computer executive VP and Quanta Cloud Technology general manager Mike Yang. In his opinion, the AI industry has seen an end-to-end progression encompassing all aspects from training and inference to end-user devices. Quanta has also seen AI server orders steadily increase.
Aaeon Technology faced headwinds in 2024 as weak demand slowed inventory clearance, but CEO Howard Lin anticipates recovery beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024 when customers resume ordering. This upturn is expected to drive the booking-to-billing ratio above 1, indicating a sector recovery that should continue with sequential growth into 2025.
Donald Trump's election win has prompted a flurry of debate and reaction even before he takes office. Acer founder Stan Shih stated that while the world evolves swiftly, Taiwan-based manufacturers will benefit from their flexibility and agility.
Faced with challenging market conditions, Jamicon Teapo is repositioning its 2025 growth strategy to focus on AI applications, particularly in high-end passive components and high-ASP specialty products, as inflation and reduced consumer purchasing power continue to constrain demand in automotive and consumer sectors.
Amid mounting pressures on talent and resources, Taiwan is looking to widen its horizons abroad, exploring the possibility of establishing science parks beyond its borders as part of its strategy to sustain industrial growth.
SoftBank, which has stakes in numerous Indian unicorns, focuses on tapping into India's potential in the AI era. Nationally, India may introduce another incentive to support local electronics manufacturers. An area Apple is currently scouting for.
HMD Global has strategically designated India as a crucial export hub for Nokia phones in response to the evolving dynamics of the global trade environment. The persistent trade tensions between the US and China have prompted the search for alternative supply chains, with India increasingly becoming a favored manufacturing location for numerous companies, including HMD.
Taiwan's Hiwin Technologies, a leading maker of motion control components, has been investing in robotics for years, with a strong focus on industrial applications. Chairman Eddie Chuo has repeatedly emphasized that Hiwin has no plans to produce humanoid robots. Instead, the company continues to enhance its expertise in core components such as harmonic reducers, ball screws, and linear guideways, which are critical across various robot types.
Allis Electric Co. (AEC) is broadening its market focus beyond semiconductors to tap into the surging energy demands of artificial intelligence and data center sectors. The company plans to leverage its established expertise in high- and low-voltage switchgear and transformers, building upon its strong foundation as a supplier to Taiwan's leading semiconductor manufacturers.
LG Electronics has announced a major organizational restructuring aimed at shifting from a product-focused strategy to a solution-driven approach. This strategic realignment seeks to drive sustainable business growth while bolstering the company's competitive edge.
Wistron anticipates reporting a three-digit percentage increase in its AI server sales for 2024, followed by another substantial three-digit growth in 2025, driven by robust market demand, according to the Taiwan-based ODM.
Topco Technologies, which distributes silicone and other chemical materials, is optimistic about demand for AI servers, but the outlook for the automotive sector is bleak.
US President-elect Donald Trump advocated for higher tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China before assuming office. Establishing factories in the US has become essential, as numerous electronic manufacturing services (EMS) providers have operated in a variety of locations. Adjacent to Mexico, Texas is the most preferred location, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
On November 25, US President-elect Donald Trump announced via social media that he would sign an executive order on his first day in office, imposing a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese products.
During a recent investor conference in New York, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon emphasized that since 2021, the company has been actively expanding beyond mobile phones. The company's aggressive execution over the past few years has yielded significant results, a strategy that will continue moving forward.
Following President-Elect Donald Trump's recent announcement of potential new tariff policies, Foxconn chairman Young Liu emphasized that Taiwan's supply chain impacts can only be assessed once the policies are clearly outlined.
Apple is actively pursuing partnerships with Indian manufacturers to establish a local supply chain beyond iPhone production, potentially including components for wearables and other devices, as its China-based suppliers show reluctance to invest in India.
Donald Trump is set to return to the White House in January 2025, and he has already declared on social media that on his first day in office, he will sign an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 10% charge on Chinese imports. Given that Mexico is a major priority for many Taiwanese ICT companies in terms of manufacturing migration, this move is likely to trigger another wave of supply chain adjustments.
A series of meetings between Chinese officials and US tech executives signals potential warming ties, with senior representatives from Nvidia and Apple holding discussions in Beijing this month.
Humanoid robots, widely considered the ultimate achievement in robotics, integrate advanced computing, sensors, motors, and AI to replicate human form and movement. Global tech giants including Tesla, Amazon, Nvidia, and Microsoft have intensified their R&D efforts amid renewed interest in the field, while China has emerged as a frontrunner backed by strong government support.
